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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



STANDING RULES 



OF THB 



UNITED STATES SENATE 



IN FORCE 



APRIL lO, 1888. 



FIFTIETH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION. 



• ■»• 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1888. 



STANDING RULES 



OF THE 

■ 



United States. Senate 



IN FORCE 



APRIL 10, 1888, 







TOGETHER WITH 



RULES FOR THE REGULATION OF THE SENATE WING 
OF THE CAPITOL 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 

1888. 



i? 



STANDING RULES 



FOR 



CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE SENATE OF THE 
UNITED STATES. 



RULE I. 



APPOINTMENT OF A SENATOR TO THE CHAIR. 

1. In the absence of the Vice-President, the Senate shall choose a 
President pro tempore. 

2. In the absence of the Vice-President, and pending the election 
of a President pro tempore, the Secretary of the Senate, or in his 
absence the Chief Clerk, shall perform the duties of the Chair. 

3. The President pro tempore shall have the right to name in open 
Senate, or, if absent, in writing, a Senator to perform the duties of 
the Chair; but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjourn- 
ment, except by unanimous consent. 

RULE II. 

OATHS, ETC. 

The oaths or affirmations required by the Constitution and pre- 
scribed by law shall be taken and subscribed by eacli Senator, in 
open Senate, before entering upon his duties. 

*37 



138 Standing Rules of the Senate, 

RULE III. 

COMMENCEMENT OF DAILY SESSIONS. 

1. The Presiding Officer having taken the chair, and a quorum 
being present, the Journal of the preceding day shall be read, 
and any mistake made in the entries corrected. The reading 
of the Journal shall not be suspended unless by unanimous 
consent; and when any motion shall be made to amend or 
correct the same, it shall be deemed a privileged question, and pro- 
ceeded with until disposed of. 

2. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Senators duly chosen 

and sworn. 

RULE IV. 

JOURNAL. 

1. The proceedings of the Senate shall be briefly and accurately 
stated on the Journal. Messages of the President in full; titles of 
bills and joint resolutions, and such parts as shall be affected by pro- 
posed amendments; every vote, and a brief statement of the con- 
tents of each petition, memorial, or paper presented to the Senate, 
shall be entered. 

2. The legislative, the executive, the confidential legislative pro- 
ceedings, and the proceedings when sitting as a Court of Impeach- 
ment, shall each be recorded in a separate book. 

RULE V. 

QUORUM — AESENT SENATORS MAY BE SENT FOR. 

1. No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate 
without leave. 

2. If, at any time during the daily sessions of the Senate, a ques- 
tion shall be raised by any Senator as to the presence of a quorum, 
the Presiding Officer shall forthwith direct the Secretary to call the 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 139 

roll and shall announce the result, and these proceedings shall be 
without debate. 

3. Whenever upon such roll-call it shall be ascertained that a 
quorum is not present, a majority of the Senators present may direct 
the Sergeant-at-Arms to request, and, when necessary, to compel 
the attendance of the absent Senators, which order shall be deter- 
mined without debate; and pendingats execution, and until a quorum 
shall be present, no debate nor motion, except to adjourn, shall be 
in order. 

RULE VI. 

PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS. 

1. The presentation of the credentials of Senators elect and other 
questions of privilege shall always be in order, except during the 
reading and correction of the Journal, while a question of order or a 
motion to adjourn is pending, or while the Senate is dividing; and 
all questions and motions arising or made upon the presentation of 
such credentials shall be proceeded with until disposed of. 

2. The Secretary shall keep a record of the certificates of election 
of Senators by entering in a well-bound book kept for that purpose 
the date of the election, the name of the person elected and the vote 
given at the election, the date of the certificate, the name of the 
governor and the secretary of state signing and countersigning the 
same, and the State from which such Senator is elected. 

RULE VII. 

MORNING BUSINESS. 

1. After the Journal is read, the Presiding Officer shall lay before 
the Senate, messages from the President, reports and communications 
from the heads of Departments, and other communications addressed 
to the Senate; and such bills, joint resolutions, and other messages 
from the House of Representatives as may remain upon his table 



140 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

from any previous day's session undisposed of. The Presiding Offi- 
cer shall then call for, in the following order : 

•'The presentation of petitions and memorials; 

"Reports of Standing and Select Committees; 

"The introduction of bills and joint resolutions; 

" Concurrent and other resolutions; " 
ill which shall be received and disposed of in such order unless unani- 
mous consent shall be otherwise given. 

2. Until the morning business shall have been concluded, and so 
announced from the chair, or until the hour of one o'clock has ar- 
rived, no motion to proceed to the consideration of any bill, resolu- 
tion, report of a committee, or other subject upon the Calendar shall 
be entertained by the Presiding Officer, unless by unanimous con- 
sent; and if such consent be given the motion shall not be subject 
to amendment, and shall be decided without debate upon the merits 
of the subject proposed to be taken up. 

3. Every petition or memorial shall be referred, without putting the 
question, unless objection to such reference is made; in which case all 
motions for the reception or reference of such petition, memorial, or 
other paper shall be put in the order in which the same shall be made, 
and shall not be open to amendment, except to add instructions. 

4. Before any petition or memorial shall be received, k shall be 
s igned by frhe petition e r or m e morialist, and a bri e f statement of its - 
contents made by the Presiding Office? or Saaator presenting it. 
Every petition or memorial shall be signed by the petitioner or memorial- 
ist and have indorsed thereofi a brief statement of its contents, and shall 
be presented and referred without debate* But no petition or memorial 
or other paper signed by citizens or subjects of a foreign power shall 
be received, unless the same be transmitted to the Senate by the Presi- 
dent. 

5. The Presiding Officer may at any time lay, and it shall be in 
order at any time for a Senator to move to lay, before the Senate 



* Adopted March 6, 1! 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 141 

any bill or other matter sent to the Senate by the President or the 
House of Representatives, and any question pending at that time 
shall be suspended for this purpose. Any motion so made shall be 
determined without debate. 

RULE VIII. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

At the conclusion of the morning .business for each day, unless 
upon motion the Senate shall at any time otherwise order, the Senate 
will proceed to the consideration of the Calendar of bills and resolu- 
tions, and continue such consideration until 2 o'clock ; and bills 
and resolutions that are not objected to shall be taken up in their 
order, and each Senator shall be entitled to speak once and for five 
minutes only upon any question ; and the objection may be inter- 
posed at any stage of the proceedings, but upon motion the Senate 
may continue such consideration ; and this order shall commence 
immediately after the call for " concurrent and other resolutions," 
and shall take precedence of the unfinished business and other special 
orders. But if the Senate shall proceed with the consideration of 
any matter notwithstanding an objection, the foregoing provisions 
touching debate shall not apply. 

All motions made before 2 o'clock to proceed to the consideration 
of any matter shall be determined without debate. 

RULE IX. 

Order of business — Continued. 

Immediately after the consideration of cases not objected to upon 
the Calendar is completed, and not later than 2 o'clock, if there 
shall be no special orders for that time, the Calendar of General 



142 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Orders shall be taken up and proceeded with in its order, beginning 
with the first subject on the Calendar next after the last subject dis- 
posed of in proceeding with the Calendar ; and in such case the 
following motions shall be in order at any time as privileged motions, 
save as against a motion to adjourn, or to proceed to the considera- 
tion of executive business, or questions of privilege, to wit : 

First. A motion to proceed to the consideration of an appropria- 
tion or revenue bill. 

Second. A motion to proceed to the consideration of any other 
bill on the Calendar, which motion shall not be open to amend- 
ment. 

Third. A motion to pass over the pending subject, which, if car- 
ried, shall have the effect to leave such subject without prejudice in 
its place on the Calendar. 

Fourth. A motion to place such subject at the foot of the Cal- 
endar. 

Each of the foregoing motions shall be decided, without debate, 
and shall have precedence in the order above named, and may be 
submitted as in the nature and with all the rights of questions of 
order. 

RULE X. 

SPECIAL ORDERS. 

1. Any subject may, by a vote of two-thirds of the Senators pres- 
ent, be made a special order ; and when the time so fixed for its con- 
sideration arrives, the Presiding Officer shall lay it before the Senate 
unless there be unfinished business of the preceeding day; and if it 
is not finally disposed of on that day, it shall take its place on the 
Calendar of Special Orders, in the order of time at which it was 
made special, unless it shall become by adjournment the unfinished 
business. 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 143 

2. When two or more special orders have been made for the same 
time they shall have precedence according to the order in which 
they were severally assigned, and that order shall only be changed by 
direction of the Senate. 

And all motions to change such order, or to proceed to the con- 
sideration of other business, shall be decided without debate. 

RULE XI. 

OBJECTION TO READING A PAPER. 

When the reading of a paper is called for, and objected to, it shall 
be determined by a vote of the Senate, without debate. 

RULE XII. 

VOTING, ETC. 

1. When the yeas and nays are ordered, the names of Senators 
shall be called alphabetically; and each Senator shall, without debate, 
declare his assent or dissent to the question, unless excused by the 
Senate; and no Senator shall be permitted to vote after the decision 
shall have been announced by the Presiding Officer, but may for 
sufficient reasons, with unanimous consent, change or withdraw his 
vote. No motion to suspend this rule shall be in order, nor shall the 
Presiding Officer entertain any request to suspend it by unanimous 
consent. 

2. When a Senator declines to vote on call of his name, he shall 
be required to assign his reasons therefor, and having assigned them, 
the Presiding Officer shall submit the question to the Senate: "Shall 
the Senator, for the reasons assigned by him, be excused from voting ? " 
which shall be decided without debate; and these proceedings shall 
be had after the roll-call and before the result is announced; and any 
further proceedings in reference thereto shall be after such announce- 
ment. 



144 Standing Rides of the Senate. 

RULE XIII. 

RECONSIDERATION. 

1. When a question has been decided by the Senate, any Senator 
voting with the prevailing side may, on the same day or on either of 
the next two days of actual session thereafter, move a reconsideration; 
and if the Senate shall refuse to reconsider, or upon reconsideration 
shall affirm its first decision, no further motion to reconsider shall be 
in order unless by unanimous consent. Every motion to reconsider 
shall be decided by a majority vote,* [ wi t hout d e bat e ] and may be 
laid on the table without affecting the question in reference to which 
the same is made, which shall be a final disposition of the motion. 

2. When a bill, resolution, report, amendment, order, or message, 
upon which a vote has been taken, shall have gone out of the posses- 
sion of the Senate, and been communicated to the House of Repre- 
sentatives, the motion to reconsider shall be accompanied by a mo- 
tion to request the House to return the same ; which last motion 
shall be acted upon immediately, and without debate, and if deter- 
mined in the negative, shall be a final disposition of the motion to 

reconsider. 

RULE XIV. 

BILLS, JOINT RESOLUTIONS, AND RESOLUTIONS. 

1. Whenever a bill or joint resolution shall be offered, its intro- 
duction shall, if objected to, be postponed for one day. 

2. Every bill and joint resolution shall receive three readings pre- 
vious to its passage; which readings shall be on three different days, 
unless the Senate unanimously direct otherwise; and the Presiding 
Officer shall give notice at each reading whether it be the first, second, 
or third. 

3. No bill or joint resolution shall be committed or amended until 
it shall have been twice read, after which it may be referred to a 

* Amendment of June 21, 1886. 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 145 

committee; bills and joint resolutions introduced on leave, and bills 
and joint resolutions from the House of Representatives, shall be 
read once, and may be read twice, on the same day, if not objected 
to, for reference, but shall not be considered on that day as in Com- 
mittee of the Whole, nor debated, except for reference, unless by 
unanimous consent. 

4. Every bill and joint resolution^reported from a committee, not 
having previously been read, shall be read once, and twice, if not 
objected to, on the same day. and placed on the Calendar in the order 
in which the same may be reported; and every bill and joint resolu- 
tion introduced on leave, and every bill and joint resolution of the 
House of Representatives which shall have received a first and sec- 
ond reading without being referred to a committee, shall, if objection 
be made to further proceeding thereon, be placed on the Calendar. 

5. All resolutions shall lie over one day for consideration unless 
by unanimous consent the Senate shall otherwise direct. 

RULE XV. 

BILLS — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. 

1. All bills and joint resolutions which shall have received two- 
readings shall first be considered by the Senate as in Committee of 
the Whole, after which they shall be reported to the Senate; and 
any amendments made in Committee of the Whole shall again be 
considered by the Senate, after which further amendments may be 
proposed. 

2. When a bill or resolution shall have been ordered to be read a- 

third time, it shall not be in order to propose amendments, unless by 

unanimous consent, but it shall be in order at any time before the 

passage of any bill or resolution, to move its commitment; and when 

the bill or resolution shall again be reported from the committee, it 
1774 s M 10 



146 Standing Rides of the Senate. 

shall be placed on the Calendar, and when again considered by the 
Senate, it shall be as in Committee of the Whole. 

3. Whenever a private bill is under consideration, it shall be in 
order to move, as a substitute for it, a resolution of the Senate re- 
ferring the case to the Court of Claims, under the provisions of the 
act approved March 3, 1883. 

RULE XVI. 

AMENDMENTS TO APPROPRIATION BILLS. 

1. All general appropriation bills shall be referred to the Commit- 
tee on Appropriations, except bills making appropriations for rivers 
and harbors, which shall be referred to the Committee on Com- 
merce; and no amendments shall be received to any general appro- 
priation bill, the effect of which will be to increase an appropriation 
already contained in the bill, or to add a new item of appropriation, 
unless it be made to carry out the provisions of some existing law, or 
treaty stipulation, or act, or resolution previously passed by the Sen- 
ate during that session j or unless the same be moved by direction ot 
a standing or select committee of the Senate, or proposed in pursu- 
ance of an estimate of the head of some one of the Departments. 

2. All amendments to general appropriation bills moved by direc-. 
tion of a standing or select committee of the Senate, proposing to in- 
crease an appropriation already contained in the bill, or to add new 
items of appropriation, shall, at least one day before they are con- 
sidered, be referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and when 
actually proposed to the bill, no amendment proposing to increase 
the amount stated in such amendment shall be received; in like 
manner amendments proposing new items of appropriation to river 
and harbor bills shall, before being considered, be referred to the 
Committee on Commerce; also amendments to bills establishing 



Standing Rules of the Senate, 147- 

post-roads, proposing new post-roads, shall, before being considered y 
be referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads. 

3. No amendment which proposes general legislation shall be re- 
ceived to any general appropriation bill, nor shall any amendment 
not germane or relevant to the subject-matter contained in the bill 
be received; nor shall any amendment to any item or clause of such 
bill be received which does not directly relate thereto; and all ques- 
tions of relevancy of amendments under this rule, when raised, shall 
be submitted to the Senate and be decided without debate; and any 
amendment to a general appropriation bill may be laid on the table 
without prejudice to the bill. 

4. No amendment, the object of which is to provide for a private 
claim, shall be received to any general appropriation bill, unless it be 
to carry out the provisions of an existing law or a treaty stipulation, 
which shall be cited on the face of the amendment. 

RULE XVII. 

AMENDMENT MAY BE LAID ON THE TABLE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO 

THE BILL. 

When an amendment proposed to any pending measure is laid on 
the table it shall not carry with it, or prejudice, such measure. 

RULE XVIII. 

AMENDMENTS — DIVISION OF A QUESTION. 

If the question in debate contains several propositions, any Sen- 
ator may have the same divided, except a motion to strike out and 
insert, which shall not be divided ; but the rejection of a motion to 
strike out and insert one proposition shall not prevent a motion to 
strike out and insert a different proposition ; nor shall it prevent a 
motion simply to strike out; nor shall the rejection of a motion to 



148 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

-strike out prevent a motion to strike out and insert. But pending a 
motion to strike out and insert, the part to be stricken out and the 
part to be inserted shall each be regarded for the purpose of amend- 
ment as a question; and motions to amend the part to be stricken 
•out shall have precedence. 

RULE XIX. 

DEBATE. 

1. When a Senator desires to speak he shall rise and address the 
Presiding Officer, and shall not proceed until he is recognized, and 
the Presiding Officer shall recognize the Senator who shall first 
address him. No Senator shall interrupt another Senator in debate 
without his consent, and to obtain such consent he shall first address 
the Presiding Officer; and no Senator shall speak more than twice 
upon any one question in debate on the same day without leave of 
the Senate; which shall be determined without debate. 

2. If any Senator, in speaking or otherwise, transgress the rules of 
the Senate, the Presiding Officer shall, or any Senator may, call him 
to order; and when a Senator shall be called to order he shall sit 
down, and not proceed without leave of the Senate, which, if granted, 
shall be upon motion that he be allowed to proceed in order; which 
motion shall be determined without debate. 

3. If a Senator be called to order for words spoken in debate, upon 
the demand of the Senator or of any other Senator the exceptionable 
words shall be taken down in writing, and read at the table for the 
information of the Senate. 

RULE XX. 

QUESTIONS OF ORDER. 

1. A question of order may be raised at any stage of the proceed- 
ings, except when the Senate is dividing, and, unless submitted to 



Standing Rides of the Senate, 14.9 

the Senate, shall be decided by the Presiding Officer without debate, 
subject to an appeal to the Senate; when an appeal is taken any 
subsequent question of order, which may arise before the decision of 
such appeal, shall be decided by the Presiding Officer without debate ; 
and every appeal therefrom shall be decided at once, and without 
debate ; and any appeal may be laid on the table without prejudice 
to the pending proposition, and thereupon shall be held as affirming 
the decision of the Presiding Officer. 

2. The Presiding Officer may submit any question of order for the 
decision of the Senate. 

RULE XXI. 

MOTIONS. 

1. All motions shall be reduced to writing, if desired by the Pre- 
siding Officer or by any Senator, and shall be read before the same 
shall be debated. 

2. Any motion or resolution may be withdrawn or modified by the 
mover at any time before a decision, amendment, or ordering of the 
yeas and nays, except a motion to reconsider, which shall not be 
withdrawn without leave. 

RULE XXII. 

PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS. 

When a question is pending no motion shall be received but — 
To adjourn, 

To adjourn to a day certain, or that when the Senate adjourn, it 
shall be to a day certain, 
To take a recess, 

To proceed to the consideration of executive business, 
To lay on the table, 
To postpone indefinitely, 



150 Standing Rules of the Senate, 

To postpone to a day certain, 

To commit, 

To amend; 
which several motions shall have precedence as they stand arranged ; 
and the motions relating to adjournment, to take a recess, to proceed 
to the consideration of executive business, to lay on the table, shall 
be decided without debate. 

RULE XXIII. 

PREAMBLES. 

When a bill or resolution is accompanied by a preamble, the ques- 
tion shall first be put on the bill or resolution and then on the pre- 
amble, which may be withdrawn by a mover before an amendment 
of the same, or ordering of the yeas and nays; or it may be laid on 
the table without prejudice to the bill or resolution, and shall be a 
final disposition of such preamble. 

RULE XXIV. 

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. 

1. In the appointment of the standing committees, the Senate, un- 
less otherwise ordered, shall proceed by ballot to appoint severally 
the chairman of each committee, and then, by one ballot, the other 
members necessary to complete the same. A majority of the whole 
number of votes given shall be necessary to the choice of a chairman 
of a standing committee, but a plurality of votes shall elect the other 
members thereof. All other committees shall be appointed by ballot, 
unless otherwise ordered, and a plurality of votes shall appoint. 

2. When a chairman of a committee shall resign or cease to serve 
on a committee, and the Presiding Officer be authorized by the Sen- 
ate to fill the vacancy in such committee, unless specially otherwise 
ordered, it shall be only to fill up the number on the committee. 



Standing Rides of the Senate, 151 

RULE XXV. 

STANDING COMMITTEES. 

1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the 
commencement of each Congress with leave to report by bill or 
otherwise : 

A Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, to consist of nine Sen- 
ators. 

^ Committee on Appropriations, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of 
the Senate, to consist of three Senators, to which shall be referred all 
resolutions directing the payment of money out of the contingent 
fund of the Senate, or creating a charge upon the same. 

*A Committee on the Census, to consist of nine members. 

A Committee on Civil Service and Retrenchment, to consist of 
nine Senators. 

A Committee on Claims, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee on Coast Defenses, to consist of seven Senators. 

tA Committee on Commerce, to consist of eleven Senators. 

A Committee on the District of Columbia, to consist of nine Sen- 
ators. 

A Committee on Education and Labor, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee on Engrossed Bills, to consist of three Senators, 
which shall examine all bills, amendments, and joint resolutions be- 
fore they go out of the possession of the Senate. 

A Committee on Enrolled Bills, to consist of three Senators, which 
shall have power to act jointly with the same committee of the House 
of Representatives, and which, or some one of which, shall examine 
all bills or joint resolutions which shall have passed both houses, 
to see that the same are correctly enrolled, and, when signed by the 
Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, shall forthwith 
present the same, when they shall have originated in the Senate, to 
the President of the United States in person, and report the fact and 
date of such presentation to the Senate. 

*By resolution of December 12, 1887. 

f Membership increased to thirteen for the 49th and 50th Congresses. 



152 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

A Committee on Epidemic Diseases, to consist of seven Senators, 

A Committee to Examine the Several Branches of the Civil Serv- 
ice, to consist of five Senators. 

*A Committee on Expenditures of Public Money, to consist of 
seven Senators, which shall consider such measures tending to econ- 
omy in public expenditures as shall be referred to it, and conduct all 
investigations into the expenditure of public money which shall be 
ordered by the Senate, unless the Senate shall otherwise direct. 

A Committee on Finance, to consist of eleven Senators. 

tA Committee on Fisheries, to consist of seven Senators, to which 
shall be referred all matters relating to fish and fisheries. 

A Committee on Foreign Relations, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee on the Improvement of the Mississippi River, to 
consist of seven Senators. 

A Committee on Indian Affairs, to consist of nine Senators. 

■| A Committee on Interstate Commerce, to. consist of nine Sen- 
ators. 

A Committee on the Judiciary, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee on the Library, to consist of three Senators, which 
shall have power to act jointly with the same committee of the House 
of Representatives. 

t A Committee on Manufactures, to consist of seven Senators. 

A Committee on Military Affairs, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee on Mines and Mining, to consist of seven Senators. 

A Committee on Naval Affairs, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee on Patents, to consist of seven Senators. 

A Committee on Pensions, to consist of nine Senators. 

A Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, to consist of nine 
Senators. 

A Committee on Printing, to consist of three Senators, which shall 
have power to act jointly with the same committee of the House of 
Representatives. 

* Membership increased to eight for the 50th Congress, 
f Membership reduced to five foi the 50th Congress, 
j By resolution of December 12, 1887. 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 153 

A Committee on Private Land Claims, to consist of five Senators. 

A Committee on Privileges and Elections, to consist of nine Sen- 
ators. 

*A Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to consist of 
five Senators, which shall have power to act jointly with the same 
committee of the House of Representatives. 

A Committee on Public Lands, to consist of nine Senators. 

f A Committee on Railroads, to consist of eleven Senators. 

A Committee on the Revision of the Laws of the United States, 
to consist of five Senators. 

A Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to consist of five Senators. 

A Committee on Rules, to consist of five Senators. 

A Committee on Territories, to consist of nine Senators. 

\K Committee on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard, to con- 
sist of seven Senators. 

2. The Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses 
of the Senate, on Printing, and on the Library shall continue and 
have power to act until their successors are appointed. 

RULE XXVI. 

REFERENCE TO COMMITTEES; MOTIONS TO DISCHARGE, AND REPORTS 
OF COMMITTEES TO LIE OVER. 

1. When motions are made for reference of a subject to a select 
committee, or to a standing committee, the question of reference to a 
standing committee shall be put first; and a motion simply to refer 
shall not be open to amendment, except to add instructions. 

2. All reports of committees and motions to discharge a committee 
from the consideration of a subject, and all subjects from which a 

committee shall be discharged, shall lie over one day for considera- 
tion, unless by unanimous consent the Senate shall otherwise direct. 
RULE XXVII. 

REPORTS OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEES. 

The presentation of reports of committees of conference shall 
always be in order, except when the Journal is being read or a 

* Membership increased to seven for the 49th and 50th Congresses. 

f Membership reduced to ten for the 50th Congress. 

% Membership increased to nine for the 49th and 50th Congresses. 



154 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

question of order or a motion to adjourn is pending, or while the 
Senate is dividing ; and when received, the question of proceeding 
to the consideration of the report, if raised, shall be immediately- 
put, and shall be determined without debate. 

RULE XXVIII. 

MESSAGES. 

1. Messages from the President of the United States or from the 
House of Representatives irmy be received at any stage of proceed- 
ings, except while the Senate is dividing, or while the Journal is 
being read, or while a question of order or a motion to adjourn is 
pending. 

2. Messages shall be sent to the House of Representatives by the 
Secretary, who shall previously certify the determination of the 
Senate upon all bills, joint resolutions, and other resolutions which 
may be communicated to the House, or in which its concurrence 
may be requested; and the Secretary shall also certify and deliver 
to the President of the United States all resolutions and other com- 
munications which may be directed to him by the Senate. 

RULE XXIX. 

PRINTING OF PAPERS, ETC. 

1. Every motion to print documents, reports, and other matter 
transmitted by either of the Executive Departments, or to print me- 
morials, petitions, accompanying documents, or any other paper, 
except bills of the Senate or House of Representatives, resolutions 
submitted by a Senator, communications from the legislatures or 
conventions, lawfully called, of the respective States, and motions to 
print by order of the standing or select committees of the Senate, 
shall, unless the Senate otherwise order, be referred to the Committee 
on Printing. When a motion is made to commit with instructions, 
it shall be in order to add thereto a motion to print. 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 155 

2. Motions to print additional numbers shall also be referred to 
the Committee on Printing; and when the committee shall report 
favorably the report shall be accompanied by an estimate of the 
probable cost thereof; and when the cost of printing such addi- 
tional numbers shall exceed the sum of five hundred dollars, the 
concurrence of the House of Representatives shall be necessary for 
an order to print the same. 

3. Every bill and joint resolution introduced on leave or reported 
from a committee, and all bills and joint resolutions received from 
the House of Representatives, and all reports of committees shall be 
printed, unless, for the dispatch of the business of the Senate, such 
printing may be dispensed- with. 

RULE XXX. 

WITHDRAWAL OF PAPERS. 

1. No memorial or other paper presented to the Senate, except 
original treaties finally acted upon, shall be withdrawn from its files 
except by order of the Senate. But when an act may pass for the 
settlement of any private claim, the Secretary is authorized to trans- 
mit to the officer charged with the settlement the papers on file re- 
lating to the claim. 

2. No memorial or other paper upon which an adverse report has 
been made shall be withdrawn from the files of the Senate unless 
copies thereof shall be left in the office of the Secretary. 

RULE XXXI. 

REFERENCE OF CLAIMS ADVERSELY REPORTED. 

Whenever a committee of the Senate, to whom any claim has been 
referred, reports adversely, and the report is agreed to, it shall not be 
in order to move to take the papers from the files for the purpose of 



156 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

referring them at a subsequent session, unless the claimant shall pre- 
sent a petition therefor, stating that new evidence has been discov- 
ered since the report, and setting forth the substance of such new 
evidence. *Bnt when there has been no adverse report, it shall be the 
duty of the Secretary to transmit all such papers to the committee in 
which such claims are pendi?ig. 

RULE XXXII. 

BUSINESS CONTINUED FROM SESSION TO SESSION. 

At the second or any subsequent session of a Congress, the legis- 
lative business of the Senate which remained* undetermined at the 
close of the next preceding session of that Congress shall be resumed 
and proceeded with in the same manner as if no adjournment of the 
Senate had taken place; and all papers referred to committees and 
not reported upon at the close of a session of Congress shall be 
returned to the office of the Secretary of the Senate, and be retained 
by him until the next succeeding session of that Congress, when 
they shall be returned to the several committees to which they had 
previously been referred. 

RULE XXXIII. 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR. 

1. No person shall be admitted to the floor of the Senate while in 
session, except as follows: 

The officers of the Senate. 

Members of the House of Representatives. The Sergeant- at- Arms, 
and the Clerk of the House. 

The President of the United States, and his private secretary. 

The heads of Departments. 

The Commissioner of Agriculture. 

Ministers of the United States. 

Foreign ministers. 

Ex-Presidents and ex- Vice-Presidents of the United States. 

"* Amendment of December 14, 1877. 



Standing Rules of the Senate. I 57 

Ex-Senators and Senators-elect. 

Judges of the Supreme Court. 

Governors of States and Territories. 

General of the Army. 

Admiral of the Navy. 

The Commissioners of the District of Columbia. 

Members of national legislatures of foreign countries. 

Private Secretaries of Senators, duly appointed in writing ; and the 
Librarian of Congress, and the Assistant Librarian in charge of the 
Law Library. 

Hon. George Bancroft. 

Judges of the Court of Claims. 

The Architect of the Capitol. 

.The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 

2. No person shall be admitted to the floor as private secretary of 
a Senator until the Senator appointing him shall certify in writing to 
the Sergeant- at- Arms that he is actually employed for the perform- 
ance of the duties of such secretary, and is engaged in the perform- 
ance of the same. 

RULE XXXIV. 

REGULATION OF THE SENATE WING OF THE CAPITOL. 

1. The Senate Chamber shall not be granted for any other purpose 
than for the use of the Senate. 

2. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Rules to make all 
rules and regulations respecting such parts of the Capitol, its passages 
and galleries, including the restaurant, as are or may be set apart for 
the use of the Senate and its officers, to be enforced under the direc- 
tion of the Presiding Officer. They shall, at the opening of each 
session of Congress, make such regulations respecting the reporters' 
gallery of the Senate as will confine its occupation to bona fide 
reporters for daily newspapers, assigning not to exceed one seat to 
each paper. 



i$S Standing Rules of the Senate.- 

RULE XXXV. 

SESSION WITH CLOSED DOORS. 

On a motion made and seconded to cIosq the doo^s of the Senate, 
on the discussion of any business which may, in the opinion of a 
Senator, require secrecy, the Presiding Officer shall direct the galleries 
to be cleared; and during the discussion of such motion the doors 
shall remain closed. 

RULE XXXVI. 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. 

1. When the President of the United States shall meet the Senate 
in the Senate Chamber for the consideration of Executive business, 
he shall have a seat on the right of the Presiding Officer. When 
the Senate shall be convened by the President of the United States 
to any other place, the Presiding Officer of the Senate and the Sen- 
ators shall attend at the place appointed, with the necessary officers 
of the Senate. 

2. When acting upon confidential or Executive business, unless the 
same shall be considered i?i open Executive session* the Senate Cham- 
ber shall be cleared of all persons except the Secretary, the Chief 
Clerk, the Principal Legislative Clerk, the Executive Clerk, the Min- 
ute and Journal Clerk, the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Assistant Door- 
keeper, and such other officers as the Presiding Officer shall think 
necessary; and all such officers shall be sworn to secrecy. 

f3. All confidential communications made by the President of the 

* Adopted A [arch 6, 1888. 

fin Executive session, March 21, 1885; 

Ordered, That the injunction of secrecy be removed from following report from 
the Committee on Rules, viz : 

The Committee on Rules, to which was referred a question of order raised by the 
Senator from Maine (Mr. Frye),as to the operation of clause 3, Rule 36, reported 
that it extends the injunction of secrecy to each step in the consideration of treaties, 
including the fact of ratification, that no modification of this clause of the rules 
ought to be made, that the secrecy as to the fact of ratification of a treaty may be of 
the utmost importance, and ought not to be removed except by order of the Senate, 
or until it has been made public by proclamation by the President. 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 159 

United States to the Senate shall be by the Senators and the officers of 
the Senate kept secret; and all treaties which may be laid before the 
Senate, and all remarks, votes, and proceedings thereon shall also be 
kept secret until the Senate shall, by their resolution, take off the in- 
junction of secrecy, or wiless the same shall be considered in open Execu- 
tive session* 

4. Any Senator or officer of the Senate who shall disclose the 
secret or confidential business or proceedings of the Senate shall be 
liable, if a Senator, to suffer expulsion from the body; and if an 
officer, to dismissal from the service of the Senate, and to punishment 

for contempt. 

RULE XXXVII. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION PROCEEDINGS ON TREATIES. 

1. When a treaty shall be laid before the Senate for ratification it 
shall be read a first time ; and no motion in respect to it shall be in 
order, except to refer it to a committee, -er- to print it in confidence for 
the use of the Senate, to remove the injunction of secrecy, or to consider 
it in open Executive session* 

When a treaty is reported from a committee with or without amend- 
ment, it shall, unless the Senate unanimously otherwise direct, lie- 
one day for consideration; after which it may be read a second time 
and considered as in Committee of the Whole, when it shall be pro- 
ceeded with by articles, and the amendments reported by the com- 
mittee shall be first acted upon, after which other amendments may 
be proposed; and when through with, the proceedings had as in 
Committee of the Whole shall be reported to the Senate, when the 
question shall be, if the treaty be amended, " Will the Senate concur 
in the amendments made in Committee of the Whole?" And the 
amendments may be taken separately, or in gross, if no Senator shall 
object; after which new amendments may be proposed. At any 
stage of such proceedings the Senate may remove the injunction of secrecy 
from the treaty, or proceed with its consideratio?i in open Executive session* 
* Adopted March 6, 1888. 



160 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

The decisions thus made shall be reduced to the form of a resolu- 
tion of ratification, with or without amendments, as the case may be; 
which shall be proposed on a subsequent day, unless, by unanimous 
-consent, the Senate determine otherwise; at which stage no amend- 
ment shall be received, unless by unanimous consent. 

On the final question to advise and consent to the ratification in 
the form agreed to, the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators 
present shall be necessary to determine it in the affirmative; but all 
other motions and questions upon a treaty shall be decided by a 
majority vote, except a motion to postpone indefinitely, which shall 
be decided by a vote of two-thirds. 

2. Treaties transmitted by the President to the Senate for ratifica- 
tion shall be resumed at the second or any subsequent session of the 
same Congress at the stage in which they were left at the final 
adjournment of the session at which they were transmitted; but all 
proceedings on treaties shall terminate with the Congress, and they 
shall be resumed at the commencement of the next Congress as if 
no proceedings had previously been had thereon. 

3. All treaties concluded with Indian tribes shall be considered 
.and acted upon by the Senate in its open or legislative session, unless 
the same shall be transmitted by the President to the Senate in con- 
fidence; in which case they shall be acted upon with closed doors. 

RULE XXXVIII. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION PROCEEDINGS ON NOMINATIONS. 

1. When nominations shall be made by the President of &he Unbed 
States to the Senate, they shall, unless otherwise ordered, be referred 
to appropriate committees; and the final question on every nomina- 
tion shall be, "Will the Senate advise and consent to this nomina- 
tion?" which question shall not be put on the same day on which the 
nomination is received, nor on the day on which it may be reported 
by a committee, unless by unanimous consent. 

2. All information communicated or remarks made by a Senator 
when acting upon nominations, concerning the character or qualifi- 



Standing Rules of the Senate. 161 

cations of the person nominated, also all votes upon any nomination, 
shall be kept secret. If, however, charges shall be made against a 
person nominated, the committee may, in its discretion, notify such 
nominee thereof, but the name of the person making such charges 
shall not be disclosed. The fact that a nomination has been made, 
or that it has been confirmed or rejected, shall not be regarded as a 
secret. 

3. When a nomination is confirmed or rejected, any Senator voting 
in the majority may move for a reconsideration on the same day on 
which the vote was taken, or on either of the next two days of actual 
executive session of the Senate; but if a notification of the confirma- 
tion or rejection of a nomination shall have been sent to the Presi- 
dent before the expiration of the time within which a motion to re- 
consider may be made, the motion to reconsider shall be accompanied 
by a motion to request the President to return such notification to the 
Senate. Any motion to reconsider the vote on a nomination may be 
laid on the table without prejudice to the nomination, and shall be a 
final disposition of such motion. 

4. Nominations confirmed or rejected by the Senate shall not be 
returned by the Secretary to the President until the expiration of the 
time limited for making a motion to reconsider the same, or while a 
motion to reconsider is pending, unless otherwise ordered by the 
Senate. 

5. When the Senate shall adjourn or take a recess for more than 
thirty days, all motions to reconsider a vote upon a nomination 
which has been confirmed or rejected by the Senate, which shall be 
pending at the time of taking such adjournment or recess, shall fall ; 
and the Secretary shall return all such nominations to the President 
as confirmed or rejected by the Senate, as the case may be. 

6. Nominations neither confirmed nor rejected during the session 
at which they are made shall not be acted upon at any succeeding 

1774 s m 11 



1 62 Standing Rules of the Senate. 

session without being again made to the Senate by the President; 
and if the Senate shall adjourn or take a recess for more than thirty 
days, all nominations pending and not finally acted upon at the time 
of taking such adjournment or recess shall be returned by the Secre- 
tary to the President, and shall not again be considered unless they 
shall again be made to the Senate by the President. 

RULE XXXIX. 

THE PRESIDENT FURNISHED WITH COPIES OF RECORDS OF EXECU- 
TIVE SESSIONS. 

The President of the United States shall, from time to time, be fur- 
nished with an authenticated transcript of the executive records of 
the Senate, but no further extract from the Executive Journal shall 
be furnished by the Secretary, except by special order of the Senate; 
and no paper, except original treaties transmitted to the Senate by 
the President of the United States, and finally acted upon by the 
Senate, shall be delivered from the office of the Secretary without an 
order of the Senate for that purpose. 

RULE XL. 

SUSPENSION AND AMENDMENT OF THE RULES. 

No motion to suspend, modify, or amend any rule, or any part 
thereof, shall be in order, except on one day's notice in writing, speci- 
fying precisely the rule or part proposed to be suspended, modified, 
or amended, and the purpose thereof. Any rule may be suspended 
without notice by the unanimous consent of the Senate, except as 
otherwise provided in clause i, Rule 12. 



OATHS REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND BY 
LAW TO BE TAKEN UNDER RULE II. 



BY SENATORS. 



I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Con- 
stitution of the United States. 

[June i, 1789, 1 Stat., 23. 

I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and 
defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, 
foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to 
the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental 
reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully 
discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So 
help me God. 

[July 11, 1868, 15 Stat., 85. 
BY THE SECRETARY. 

I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Con- 
stitution of the United States. 

And in addition to the foregoing he will also take the following : 

I, A B, Secretary of the Senate of the United States of America, 
do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will truly and faithfully dis- 
charge the duties of my said office, to the best of my knowledge 
and abilities. 

[June 1, 1789, 1 Stat., 23. 
163 



RULES 



FOR THE 



REGULATION OF THE SENATE WING OF THE UNITED 
STATES CAPITOL 

ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, MARCH 15, 1884. 



RULE I. 



SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. 



The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, under the direction of the 
Presiding Officer, shall be the Executive Officer of the body for the 
enforcement of all rules made by the Committee on Rules, for the 
regulation of the Senate Wing of the Capitol. The Senate floor 
shall be at all times under his immediate supervision, and he shall see 
that the various subordinate officers of his department perform the 
duties to which they are especially assigned in the rules following. 

RULE II. 

ASSISTANT DOORKEEPER AND ACTING ASSISTANT DOORKEEPER. 

The Assistant Doorkeeper and Acting Assistant Doorkeeper shall 
be assigned, during the daily sessions of the Senate, to duty upon the 
Senate floor. They shall see that the Messengers assigned to the 
doors upon the Senate floor are at their posts, and that the floor and 
cloak-rooms are cleared of all persons not entitled to their privileges 
at least five minutes before the opening of daily sessions. In the ab- 

*75 



176 Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 

sence of the Sergeant-at-Arms the duties of his office, so far as they 
pertain to the enforcement of rules, shall devolve upon the Acting 
Assistant Doorkeeper. 

RULE HI. 

MESSENGERS ACTING AS ASSISTANT DOORKEEPERS. 

The Messengers acting as Assistant Doorkeepers shall be assigned 
to duties as follows : 

One in charge of the gallery doors. It shall be his duty to see 
that Messengers in charge of gallery doors are at their posts at least 
five minutes before the opening of daily sessions. When the Senate 
shall proceed to the consideration of executive business he shall see 
that Messengers promptly clear their respective galleries, and close 
the doors, and reopen them when the Senate shall resume its open 
session, or adjourn. 

One in charge of the main door to the Senate Chamber. It shall 
be his duty also, to see that Messengers assigned to the various Com- 
mittees of the Senate are at their posts during the meetings of Com- 
mittees, and keep the Committee-rooms to which they are respectively 
assigned in proper order. 

One in charge of the Sergeant-at-Arms' stores. 

RULE IV. 

GALLERIES. 

The Galleries of the Senate shall be set apart and occupied as fol- 
lows: The gallery in the rear of the Vice-President's chair shall be 
set apart for Reporters of daily newspapers. The southern gallery 
over the main entrance to the Senate Chamber shall be set apart for 
the use of the Diplomatic Corps, and no person shall be admitted to 
it excepting the Secretary of State, Foreign Ministers, their families, 



Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 17? 

and suites, and Senators. Cards of admission to said gallery shall 
be issued, to such persons as are entitled to its privileges, by the Sec- 
retary of State. The galleries over the western entrance to the Senate 
Chamber, and in the northeastern corner of the Chamber, shall be 
set apart for the use of the families of Senators, of Cabinet Minis- 
ters, and of Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. No 
other persons shall be admitted to said galleries except upon the card 
of a Senator. The gallery extending from the eastern reserved gal- 
lery to the Diplomatic shall be set apart for the use of ladies, and 
ladies accompanied by gentlemen. The galleries on either side oi 
the western reserved gallery shall be open to the public. The front 
seat in the eastern reserved gallery, next adjoining the ladies' gallery, 
shall be set apart for the use of the President of the United States;. 
and no person shall be admitted to said seat except upon his order. 

RULE V. 

PRESS GALLERY. 

. Persons desiring admission to the Press Gallery shall make appli- 
cation for tickets to the Committee on Rules, stating in writing for 
what paper or papers they are employed to report, and also stating 
that they are not engaged in the prosecution of claims pending be- 
fore Congress, and will not become so engaged while allowed admis- 
sion to said gallery; said Applications shall be authenticated in a 
manner satisfactory to the Standing Committee of Correspondents- 
Clerks "engaged in the Executive Departments of the Government, 
or persons engaged in other occupations, whose chief support is not 
derived from newspaper correspondence, shall not be entitled to ad- 
mission to said gallery; norj shall the wives and families of corre- 
spondents be entitled to admission. The Press Gallery, subject to* 
the supervision and control of the Committee on Rules, shall be un- 
der the direction of the Standing Committee of Correspondents. 
1774 S M 12 



178 Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 

RULE VI, 

MARBLE ROOM. 

The ante room known as the Marble Room is set apart as a retir- 
ing room for Senators and such persons as they may think proper to 
invite into the same. During the open sessions of the Senate, it 
shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to see that such occupation 
of said room is not interfered with by officers of the Senate or other 
persons. 

RULE VII. 

CLOAK ROOMS. 

No person shall be admitted to the Cloak Rooms adjoining the 
Senate Chamber excepting such as are entitled to the privileges of 
the Senate floor under Standing Rule XXXIII. 

RULE VIII. 

HEATING AND VELTILATING DEPARTMENT. 

No person shall be admitted to the Heating and Ventilating De- 
partment of the Senate wing of the Capitol, except upon a pass 
from the Sergeant-at-Arms, or unless accompanied by an officer of 
the Senate. 

RULE IX. 

BARBER SHOP AND BATH ROOMS. 

The Barber Shop, and Bath Rooms connected therewith, shall be 
reserved exclusively for the use of Senators. The Bath Room in the 
Heating and Ventilating Department of the Senate wing shall be for 
the use of officers and employes of the Senate; and no person shall 
be entitled to its privileges except upon a card from the Sergeant-at- 
Arms. 



Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 179 

RULE X. 

SENATE RESTAURANT. 

The large private room of the Restaurant shall be reserved exclu- 
sively for Senators and their guests. 

The small private room shall be reserved exclusively for the use of 
Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, and such 
use of the private rooms of the Restaurant shall not be interfered 
with. 

The viands served in the Restaurant shall be of the best quality, 
and the prices for the same shall not exceed those stated in the printed 
bills of fare to be previously approved by the Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Rules, and said prices shall be subject to modification from 
time to time as the Chairman of the Committee on Rules may direct. 

The Restaurant shall be kept open during the session of the Sen- 
ate and during such other parts of the year as the Committee on Rules 
may direct. 

The Caterer shall give his personal attention and care to the man- 
agement of the Restaurant. The equipment for the tables and for 
the service shall be first- class. No spirituous liquors shall be sold, 
furnished, or kept in the Restaurant. All parts of the Restaurant, 
with its kitchen and office, shall be kept scrupulously clean, and all 
waste and garbage shall be removed daily. The rooms and vaults 
connected with the Restaurant shall be kept entirely for its use, and 
shall not be withdrawn from such use for any purpose. The manage- 
ment of the Restaurant and all matters connected therewith shall at 
all times be subject to such further directions as the Committee on 

Rules may give. 

RULE XI. 

CORRIDORS, ETC. 

The Corridors and passage-ways of the Senate wing of the Capitol 
shall be kept open and free from obstructions; and no stands, booths, 



180 Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 

or counters for the exhibition or sale of any article shall be placed 

therein. 

RULE XII. 

PEDDLING, BEGGING, ETC. 

Peddling, begging, and the solicitation of book or other subscrip- 
tions are strictly forbidden in the Senate wing of the Capitol, and no 
portion of said wing shall be occupied by signs or other devices for 
advertising any article whatsoever, excepting such signs as may be 
necessary to designate the entrances to the Senate Restaurant. 

RULE XIII. 

ELEVATOR. 

Smoking in the elevator of the Senate wing of the Capitol is strictly 
forbidden. 

RULE XIV. 

CARDS AND COMMUNICATIONS IN THE MORNING HOUR. 

No cards, letters, or other communications, except letters from 
Senators' families, and official communications, shall be sent to Sen- 
ators in the Chamber during the daily sessions of the Senate before 
2 o'clock p. im, unless Senators shall direct the Messenger at the 
Reception Room door otherwise. 

RULE XV. 

CARDS AND COMMUNICATIONS DURING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. 

No cards, letters, or other communications shall be sent to Senators 
in the Chamber when the Senate is in Executive Session, except 
cards of Members of the House of Representatives, calls from the 
Supreme Court of the United States, letters from Senators' families, 



Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing. 181 

official communications and telegrams, unless Senators shall direct 
the Messenger at the main door of the Senate Chamber otherwise. 

RULE XVI. 

SWEEPING, CLEANING. 

All sweeping, cleaning, and dusting of the Senate wing of the 
Capitol shall be done, as far as practicable, immediately after the 
adjournment of each day's session of the Senate, and must, in any 
event, be completed before eight o'clock a. m. 



INDEX 

TO THE 

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE. 



A. 

Pago. Rale Cl&aft* 

Absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave. No 

Senator shall 138 5 1 

Absent Senators. Less than a quorum may request or compel the 

attendance of 139 5 3 

Additional numbers of a document shall be referred to the Commit- 
tee on Printing. All motions to print 155 29 2 

Where the cost shall exceed five hundred dollars, the concur- 
rence of the House of Representatives shall be necessary __ 155 29 2 
Adjourn. A motion to, shall have precedence ai all other motions. 149 22 — 
Adjourn to a day certain shall be second in the order of precedence 

of motions. A motion to 149 22 — 

Admission to the floor of the Senate. Persons entitled to 156 33 — 

Amendment, when proposed to any pending measure, is laid on the 

table, it shall not carry with it or prejudice such measure __ 147 17 — 
When a question is pending, a motion may be made to amend. 149 22 — 
Amendments. When a question contains several points, a division 

may be called for 147 18 — 

But a motion to strike out and insert shall not be divided 147 18 — 

Rejection of a motion to strike out and insert shall not pre- 
vent a motion simply to strike out 147 18 — 

Nor shall the rejection of a motion to strike out prevent a 

motion to strike out and insert 147 18 — 

In a motion to strike out and insert, the part to be stricken out 
and the part to be inserted shall each be regarded as a ques- 
tion for 147 18 — 

It shall not be in order on the third reading of a bill to offer an 

amendment except by unanimous consent 145 15 2 

455 



45 6 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Page. Rule. Clans* 

Amendments to general appropriation bills. No amendment shall be 

received which will increase an appropriation in the bill, 

unless 146 16 1 

No amendment adding a new item to the bill, unless to carry 

out existing law or treaty stipulation, shall be received 146 16 I 

Amendments must be moved by direction of a committee or in 

pursuance of an estimate of the head of a Department 146 16 1 

All amendments moved by direction of a committee must be 

referred one day before being offered to the Committee on 

Appropriations 146 16 2 

No amendment to an amendment increasing the appropriation 

therein shall be received 146 16 2 

Amendments to river and harbor bills shall also be referred 

before being offered 146 16 2 

Amendments to post-road bills shall also be referred before 

being offered 146 16 2 

No amendment proposing general legislation shall be received. 147 16 3 
No amendment not relevant or germane to the subject-matter of 

the bill shall be received 147 16 3 

An amendment to a general appropriation bill may be laid on 

the table 147 16 3 

No amendment to provide for a private claim shall be received, 

unless 147 16 4 

Amendments to treaties shall be determined by a majority vote. 

All questions of 159 37 1 

Anthony rule. Known as the 141 8 — 

Appeals, in questions of order. Every question of order decided by 

the Chair shall be subject to an appeal to the Senate 148 20 1 

When an appeal is pending, any question of order or appeal 

that may afterward arise shall be decided without debate 148 20 1 

If an appeal be laid on the table, it shall be held as affirming 

the decision of the Chair 148 20 1 

Appropriation bills. (See General appropriation bills.) 
Attendance of absent Senators. The Sergeant-at-Arms may be 

directed to request, and, if necessary, compel the 139 5 3 

B. 

Ballot. The chairman and members of the standing committees 

shall be appointed by 150 24 1 

A majority shall choose a chairman, and a plurality the other 

members of a standing committee 150 24 I 



Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 457 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Bills and joint resolzttions. Order in which the Chair shall call for, 

under " morning business " 139 7 I 

Bills or other matter sent to the Senate by the President or 

House of Representatives may at any time be laid before the 

Senate by the Presiding Officer or upon motion 140 7 5 

Bills and resolutions, not objected to, to be taken up in their 

order 141 8 — 

To proceed to the consideration of, on the Calendar out of 

regular order a privileged motion . 141 9 — 

Whenever offered their introduction shall, if objected to, be 

postponed for one day 144 14 1 

When presented may be postponed one day unless by unanimous 

consent 144 14 1 

Shall have three several readings before passage, which shall be 

on three different days unless by unanimous consent 144 14 2 

May be read twice on the same day for reference only 144 14 3 

If not referred, they shall not be considered as in Committee 

of the Whole, nor debated if objected to, but shall go on the 

Calendar 145 14 4 

All bills and joint resolutions reported from a committee shall 

also go on the Calendar 145 14 4 

Before amendment shall be considered as in Committee of the 

Whole „ „ 145 15 1 

WTien ordered to a third reading they shall not be open to 

amendment unless by unanimous consent 145 15 2 

But may be committed before the question is put upon the 

passage 145 15 2 

If committed when reported shall again go on the Calendar as 

bills in Committee of the Whole 145 15 2 

May be accompanied by a preamble, which may be withdrawn, 

or laid on the table „ 150 23 — 

Bills. General appropriation bills. All general appropriation bills 

shall be referred to the Committee on Appropriations, except 

river and harbor 146 16 I 

Limitations to amendments which may be proposed to 146 16 1-4 

Amendments proposing new items of appropriation shall before 

being offered be referred 146 16 2 

Bills making appropriations for rivers and harbors" shall be re- 
ferred to the Committee on Commerce 146 16 1 

No amendment proposing general legislation shall be proposed 

to any general appropriation bill 147 16 3 

No amendment to provide for a private claim shall be offered 

unless to carry out existing law ._, 147 16 4 



45 8 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Page. Rule. Class* 

Bills, private, may be referred to the Court of Claims 146 15 3 

Business. Order of morning 139 7 1 

Business of the Senate continued from session to session. The legis- 
lative 156 32 — 

C. 

Calendar of general orders. At the expiration of the morning busi- 
ness, the Senate shall take up the „ 141 8,9 — 

Subjects on the Calendar to be taken up in their order 141 8, 9 — 

Every bill and joint resolution reported from a committee, and 
bills and joint resolutions from the House of Representatives, 

read twice but not referred, shall be placed on the 145 14 4 

To proceed to the consideration of any other bill on the, out of 

its order, a privileged motion 141 9 — 

To pass over the pending subject on the, a privileged motion.. 141 9 — 
To place pending subject at the foot of the, a privileged motion. 141 9 — 
Call of the Senate. When a question is raised as to the presence of 

a quorum, the Chair shall direct the roll to be called 138 5 2 

Capitol building. The Senate wing of the Capitol building, its cor- 
ridors and passages, to be under the control of the Committee 

on Rules 157 34 2 

Certificates oi election of Senators to be recorded in well-bound book. 139 6 2 

Chief Clerk, when to perform duties of the Chair 137 1 2 

Claims rejected by the Senate cannot be again referred unless new 

evidence be presented 155 31 — 

Claims adversely reported on cannot be withdrawn without leaving 

copies. Petitions and papers relating to private 155 30 2 

Claims, the papers may be sent to the proper officer by the Secretary. 

Where acts have passed for private 155 30 1 

Papers in relation to, to be transmitted by Secretary of Senate 

to committee having claim under consideration 156 31 — 

Closed doors. On the discussion of a subject which may require se- 
crecy, the galleries shall be cleared and the doors closed 158 35 — 

Commit. After the third reading and before the passage of a bill a 

motion may be made to 145 15 2 

When a question is pending, the order stated in wbich a mo- 
tion may be made to 149 22 — 

A motion to, not open to amendment except to add instruc- 
tions 153 26 1 

Committee of the WJwle. All bills and joint resolutions shall, before 

passage, be first considered as in 145 15 I 

When a bill is recommended and again reported, it shall be 

again taken up as in 145 15 2 

Treaties when acted upon in executive session shall be first con- 
sidered as in 159 37 1 



Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 459 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Committee an Rules, to have control of Senate wing of the Capitol 

building, its corridors, &c 157 34 2 

Committees. Order in which the Chair shall call for reports of 139 7 I 

The standing committees, unless otherwise ordered, shall be 

appointed by ballot 154 24 I 

A majority of votes necessary to the choice of a chairman 150 24 1 

Select committees and the residue of the standing committees 

may be chosen by a plurality 150 24 I 

Vacancies in committees when filled shall be only to fill up the 

number of members 1 150 24 2 

Enumeration of the standing committees to be appointed at the 

commencement of each Congress 151 25 1 

A motion to refer to a standing committee shall take prece- 
dence of a motion to refer to a select committee 153 26 1 

A motion to refer shall not be open to amendment, except to 

add instructions 153 26 I 

All reports of committees shall lie one day for consideration __ 153 26 2 
Co?nmittees to audit and control the contingent expenses of the Sen- 
ate, on printing, and on the Library shall continue and have 

power to act until their successors are appointed 153 25 2 

Committees of conference. Reports of committees of conference 
shall be always in order, except, &c, and the question of 
their consideration shall be immediately put without debate __ 153 o,"] — 
Concurrent and other resolutions. . Order in which the Chair shall 

call for, under " morning business" 139 7 I 

Conference. Reports of committees of conference shall always be in 
order, and the question of their consideration be immediately 

put without debate 153 27 — 

Confidential communications from the President, and all treaties, 

proceedings, and remarks thereon, shall be kept secret 159 37 1 

Confidential business of the Senate. Penalties for disclosing the 159 36 4 

Contingent fund of the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on 
Contingent Expenses. All resolutions for the payment of 

money from the 151 25 1 

Court of Claims. To refer private bills to the 146 15 3 

Credentials of Senators- elect shall always be in order, and be pro- 
ceeded with until disposed of by the Senate. The presenta- 
tion of 139 6 1 

D. 

Daily sessions. Commencement of „ 138 3 — 

Day certain. When a question is pending a motion may be made 

to postpone to a A ^_ 149 22 — 



460 Index to the Stafiding Rides of the Senate, 

Page. Rule. Clamse. 

Debate. If a Senator in speaking, or otherwise, transgress the rules, 
the Presiding Officer shall, or any Senator may, call him to 
order 148 19 2 

When called to order he shall sit down, and shall not proceed 

without leave of the Senate . 148 19 2 

If leave be granted to proceed, it shall be on motion, and de- 
termined without 148 19 2 

If a Senator be called to order for words spoken. in debate, the 

exceptionable words, if required, shall be taken 148 19 3 

The Presiding Officer shall name the Senator who is to speak, 
who, in all cases, shall be the Senator who shall first address 
the Chair 148 19 1 

No Senator shall interrupt another without his consent, to ob- 
tain which he shall first address the Chair 148 19 1 

No Senator shall speak more than twice on any one question on 
the same day without leave of the Senate, to be determined 
without 148 19 1 

Upon the merits of the question. A motion to take up a sub- 
ject shall be decided without 140 7 2 

Petitions and memorials to be presented and referred without. _ 140 7 4 

No Senator to speak but once, and for five minutes only, on 
bills and resolutions upon the Calendar not objected to 141 8 — 

A motion to lay before the Senate any bill or other matter sent 
to the Senate by the President or House of Representatives 
shall be decided without debate 140 7 5 

A motion made before 2 o'clock to proceed to the considera- 
tion of any matter shall be determined without 141 8 — 

A motion to change the order of special orders or to proceed to 

the consideration of other business shall be decided without, 142 10 2 
Decision is announced. No Senator shall, under any circumstances, 

be permitted to vote after a 143 12 1 

But he may, for special reasons, by unanimous consent, change 

or withdraw his vote after a 143 12 1 

Any motion or resolution may be withdrawn, except a motion 
to reconsider before an amendment, ordering the yeas and 

nays, or before a 149 21 2 

Discharge of a committee. A motion to discharge a committee from 

a subject shall lie one day for consideration 153 26 2 

All subjects from which a committee shall be discharged shall 

also lie one day for consideration 153 26 2 



Index to the Standing Rtdes of the Senate. 46 1 

Tage. Rule. Clause. 

Division of a question. If the question in debate contain several 

points, any Senator may have the same divided 147 18 — 

A motion to strike out and insert shall not be divided 147 18 — 

Doors to be dosed. On the discussion of any business which may in 
the opinion of a Senator require secrecy, upon a motion made 
the Presiding Officer shall direct the 158 35 — 

E. 

Exceptionable words shall be taken down. If a Senator be called to 

order for words spoken in debate, the .._ 148 19 3 

Excwed from voting. In calling the yeas and nays, each Senator, 
when his name is called, shall answer without debate, unless 
for special reasons he be 143 12 1 

When reasons shall be assigned for not voting, their sufficiency 

shall be determined without debate 143 12 2 

These proceedings shall be after the roll is called, and before 

the decision is announced 143 12 2 

Executive business shall be decided without debate. A motion to 

proceed to consideration of 149 22 — 

The President shall have a seat on the right of the Chair when 

he shall meet the Senate in 158 36 I 

The Senate shall be cleared of all persons except the officers in 

attendance (who shall be sworn to secrecy) when in 158 36 2 

Unless the Senate is in open executive session 158 36 2 

All confidential communications made by the President, and ail 
treaties, and remarks, votes, and proceedings thereon, shall 
be kept secret, except as provided 158 36 3 

Any person who shall disclose the secret proceedings of the 
Senate shall, if a Senator, be liable to expulsion ; if an officer, 
to dismissal 159 36 4 

Proceedings upon treaties. (See Treaties?) 

Proceedings upon nominations. (See Nominations!) 
Exeattive record. The President shall, from time to time, be fur- 
nished with an authenticated transcript of the 162 39 — 

No further extracts shall be furnished by the Secretary without 

an order of the Senate 162 39 — 

Executive proceedings of the Senate shall be kept in a separate book. 138 4 2 
Extra copies of documents shall be referred to the Committee on 

Printing. Motion to print 155 29 2 

When the cost of additional copies shall exceed five hundred 

dollars the concurrence of the House shall be necessary 155 29 2 

Extracts from the executive j ournal shall not be given without an 

order of the Senate 162 39 — 



462 IficUx to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

F. 

Page. Rule. Clau»«. 

Floor of the Senate. Persons entitled to admission on the 156 33 I 

G. 

Galleries to oe cleared and the doors closed, on discussing a question 

requiring secrecy. The Chair shall direct the 158 35 — 

General appropriation bills. All general appropriation bills shall be 
referred to the Committee on Appropriations except river and 
harbor 146 16 1 

To proceed to the consideration of, a privileged motion 141 9 — 

Amendments to. No amendment shall be received which shall 
increase the appropriation, unless to carry out some existing 
law, or resolution of the Senate, or by direction of a standing 
or select committee, or in pursuance of an estimate of the 
head of a Department 146 16 I 

All amendments proposing to increase an appropriation shall 
one day previous to being offered be referred to the Committee 
on Appropriations 146 16 2 

No amendment shall be proposed to an amendment increasing 

the amount in such amendment 146 16 2 

Amendments moved by direction of a committee shall be first 

referred to the Committee on Appropriations 146 16 2 

No amendment proposing general legislation, or that is not ger- 
mane or relevant to the subject of the bill, shall be received. 147 16 3 

No amendment to any item or clause that does not directly re- 
late thereto shall be received , 147 16 3 

All questions of relevancy of amendments shall be decided by 

the Senate and without debate 147 16 3 

No amendment providing for a private claim, unless to carry 

out a law or treaty stipulation, shall be received 147 16 4 

Any amendment to a general appropriation bill may be laid on 

the table 147 16 3 

General legislation to general appropriation bills. No amendment 

shall be admitted proposing 147 16 3 

General orders. (See Calendar?) 

Germane. No amendment to any appropriation bill shall be offered 

which is not relevant or 147 16 3 

I. 

Iitipeachment, court of. Proceedings recorded 138 4 2 

Indefinite postponement. When a question is pending a motion may 

be made for 149 22 — 



Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 4 G 3 

Page. Rule. Clauae 

Indian treaties shall, unless transmitted by the President in confi- 
dence, be acted upon in legislative session 160 37 3 

Injunction of secrecy. All confidential communications from the 
President, and all treaties, and remarks and proceedings 

thereon, are embraced within the 158 36 3 

All information given or remarks made by a Senator touching 
the character or qualifications of a nominee, and all votes on 

a nomination, are within the 160 38 2 

A person nominated may be notified of ^charges made against 
him, but the name of the person making them shall not be 

disclosed 160 38 2 

A Senator disclosing the confidential or secret business of the 

Senate shall be liable to expulsion 159 3.6 4 

An officer of the Senate committing a like offense shall be dis- 
missed and punished for contempt 159 36 4 

J. 

Journal. A quorum being present, the Journal of the previous day's 
session shall be read, and any mistake in the entries cor- 
rected 138 3 1 

The reading of the, shall not be suspended unless by unanimous 

consent 138 3 1 

A motion to amend the Journal shall be deemed a privileged 

question and be proceeded with until disposed of 138 3 1 

The proceedings of the Senate shall be briefly and accurately 
stated on the 138 4 1 

Every vote of the Senate, and a brief statement of each memo- 
rial or paper presented, shall be entered on the 138 4 1 

The legislative, executive, and impeachment proceedings of the 

Senate shall be each recorded in a separate 138 4 2 

Laid on the table. The preamble to a bill or resolution may, with- 
out carrying the bill or resolution, be 150 23 — 

A motion to reconsider may be, without carrying the subject, 

and shall be a final disposition thereof 144 13 r 

An amendment to a general appropriation bill may be , 147 16 3 

An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be 149 20 r 

When a question is pending a motion may be made to lay on 

the table, which shall be decided without debate 149 22 — 

Leave to introduce a bill. May be offered if no objection 144 14 1 



4^4 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Leave of the Senate. A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn 

without 149 21 2 

No Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate 

without 138 5 I 

No Senator shall speak more than twice on any one question on 

the same day without 148 19 I 

A Senator when called to order shall sit down and shall not 

proceed without 148 19 2 

No memorial or other paper, except original treaties, shall be 

withdrawn without : 155 3° I 

Legislative business. The legislative business of the Senate shall be 

continued from session to session of the same Congress 156 32 — 

The legislative proceedings of the Senate shall be recorded in 

a separate book 138 4 2 

M. 

Majority. A motion to reconsider a vote may be decided by a 144 13 I 

All questions upon a treaty, except on the question of ratifica- 
tion, and on a motion to postpone indefinitely, shall be by a_ 159 37 I 
Memorials a7td petitions shall be referred without putting the ques- 
tion 140 7 3 

Before being presented or read they shall be signed, indorsed 
with a brief statement of their contents, and referred without 
debate 140 7 4 

Of foreign citizens or subjects shall not be received unless through 

the President 140 7 4 

Where an adverse report has been made they shall not be with- 
drawn, unless copies are left with the Secretary 155 30 2 

Where an adverse report has been agreed to they shall not be 

referred from the files, unless with new evidence 155 31 — 

Shall not be withdrawn from the files without leave of the 

Senate 155 30 1 

When an act has passed for the settlement of a private claim, 
the Secretary may transmit the papers to the accounting- 
officers 155 30 I 

Merits of the question proposed to be considered. It shall not be in 

order to discuss the. ..„ 139 7 2 

Messages from the President and from the House of Representatives 

may be received at any state of the business except 154 28 I 

Messages to the House and communications to the President 

shall be taken by the Secretary 154 28 2 



Index to the Standing Rules of the Se?iate. 4^5 

Page. Rule. Clause 

Morning business. Order in which it is laid before the Senate, after 

the Journal is read 139 7 l 

Until concluded, or until 1 o'clock, no motion to proceed to the 
consideration of any bill, resolution, &c, upon the Calendar 
shall be entertained unless by unanimous consent, and shall 
not be subject to amendment, and shall be decided without 

debate on the merits of the subject 140 7 2 

At the conclusion of the, for each day, unless otherwise ordered, 
the Calendar of bills and resolutions shall be proceeded with 
until 2 o'clock I4 1 8 — 

The order of, which shall not be interrupted, unless by unani- 
mous consent, prescribed 139 7 * 

No motion to proceed to the consideration of subjects on the 
Calendar shall be received, except by unanimous consent, 
duringthe 140 7 2 

A motion received by unanimous consent to take up a subject 
shall not be open to amendment nor debate on the merits of 

the question 140 7 2 

Motions. A motion to lay before the Senate bills or other matter sent 
to the Senate by the President or House of Representatives, 
in order at any time 140 7 5 

To reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote without de- 
bate 144 13 1 

Before a motion shall be debated it shall, if required, be re- 
duced to writing 149 21 1 

Which may be made when a question is under consideration ; 

the order and precedence of which 149 22 — 

A motion or resolution may be withdrawn or modified before a 

division, amendment, or ordering of the yeas and nays 149 21 2 

A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn without leave of 

the Senate 149 21 2 

A motion to discharge a committee shall lie over one day for 

consideration, unless by unanimous consent 153 26 2 

If. 

Nominations. The question on their confirmation shall not be put 
on the same day on which they are received, nor on the day 
on which they may be reported 160 38 1 

Discussions upon the character and qualifications of a nominee 

and the votes upon a nomination shall be kept secret 160 38 2 

The person nominated may be notified of charges against him, 

but the name of the party making them shall not be disclosed. 160 38 2 

A motion to reconsider the vote on a nomination may be made 

within two days of actual session 161 38 3 

1774 s M 30 



466 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Nominations. Notice of confirmation shall not be sent to the Presi- 
dent until the expiration of two days of actual session 161 38 4 

When the President has been notified of a confirmation, a mo- 
tion to reconsider must be accompanied by a request to the 
President to return the resolution of confirmation 161 38 3 

A motion to reconsider the vote on a nomination may be laid 

on the table, which shall be final 161 38 3 

Upon an adjournment of Congress, or a recess of more than 
thirty days, all motions to reconsider shall fall, and the nomi- 
nations stand as confirmed or rejected, as the case may be __ 161 38 5 

Not confirmed or rejected at one session shall not be considered 

at the next session unless renominated 161 38 6 

Upon an adjournment of Congress, or on taking a recess of 
thirty days, all nominations not finally acted upon shall be 
returned to the President 161 ^ 5 

O. 

Oaths of office The oaths required by the Constitution and pre- 
scribed by law shall be taken and subscribed by Senators in 

open Senate before entering upon their duties 137 2 — 

Order of business. After the conclusion of the morning business, 

prescribed 141 8 — 

After the consideration of cases not objected to upon the Cal- 
endar is completed, and not later than two o'clock, pre- 
scribed 141 9 — 

Order in debate. When a Senator shall be called to order, he t.hall 
sit down, and shall not proceed without leave of the Senate, 
which shall be determined without debate 148 19 2 

No Senator shall speak to or interrupt another without his con- 
sent, to obtain which he shall first address the Chair 148 19 1 

If a Senator be called to order for words spoken in debate, 

the exceptional words, if required, shall be taken down 148 19 3 

The Presiding Officer shall name the Senator who is to speak, 
who shall in all cases be the one who shall first address the 
Chair 148 19 1 

No Senator shall speak more than twice on any one question 
on the same day without leave of the Senate, to be deter- 
mined without debate 148 19 I 

A motion to take up a subject shall not be open to debate on 

the merits of the subject proposed to be considered 140 7 2 



Index to the Standing Rides of the Senate. 467 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Order, questions of. A question of order may be raised at any time, 

and shall be decided by the Chair, without debate 148 20 I 

An appeal may be taken from the decision of the Chair on a 

question of order 148 20 I 

The Chair may submit any question of order to the decision of 

the Senate 149 20 2 

When an appeal is taken from the decision of the Chair, any 
subsequent question of order or appeal shall be decided 
without debate 148 20 I 

An appeal may be laid on the table, which shall be regarded 

as sustaining the decision of the Chair 148 20 I 

P. 

Papers. When the reading of a paper is called for, and objection be 

made, it shall be submitted to the Senate without debate 143 11 — 

No papers, except original treaties, shall, without leave of the 

Senate, be withdrawn from its files 155 30 I 

When an act has passed for the settlement of a private claim, 
the Secretary may transmit the papers to the accounting- 
officers 155 30 I 

When a claim has been adversely reported on, and the report 
be agreed to, the papers shall not be referred from the files 

without new evidence 155 31 — 

Where an adverse report has been made, papers shall not be 

withdrawn without leaving copies with the Secretary 155 30 2 

Pending measure. Amendment proposed to any, is laid On the table 
without carrying the measure to the table or prejudicing the 

same 147 17 — 

Petitions, before being presented, must be signed, indorsed with a 

brief statement of their contents, and referred without debate __ 140 7 4 
Order in which the Chair shall call for, in the morning hour__ 140 7 1 
No petition or other paper signed by citizens or subjects of a 
foreign power shall be received unless through the Presi- 
dent 140 7 4 

Every petition shall be referred, of course, without putting the 

question, unless there be objection 140 7 3 

Pturality of votes. Select committees and the members of standing 

committees (except the chairman) shall be elected by a 150 24 1 

Postpone indefinitely. When a question is pending, a motion may 

bemadeto 149 22 



468 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Page. Rule. Cla ise. 

Preamble to a resolution. The question shall be first put upon the 

resolution and last on the preamble _, 150 23 — 

To a resolution may be withdrawn before an amendment or 
ordering of the yeas and nays. It may also be laid on the 
table 150 23 — 

To a bill shall be last put to question and may also be laid on 

the table 150 23 — 

Presiding Officer of the Senate. In the absence of the Vice-Presi- 
dent, the Senate shall choose a President pro tetnpore 137 1 1 

In the absence of the Vice-President and pending the election 
of a President pro tempore, the Secretary, or in his absence 
the Chief Clerk, shall perform the duties of the Chair 137 1 2 

He shall have the right to name a Senator to occupy the chair, 

who shall not hold beyond an adjournment except 137 1 3 

He may at any time lay before the Senate bills or other matter 
sent to the Senate by the President or House of Representa- 
tives 140 7 5 

The Presiding Officer shall decide every question of order 

without debate, subject to an appeal to the Senate 148 20 I 

He may submit any question of order without decision to the 

Senate 149 20 2 

Printing. Every motion to print, except to print bills, reports of 
committees, resolutions, communications from State legisla- 
tures and conventions, and motions to print, made by direc- 
tion of committees, shall be referred to the Committee on 154 29 1 

All reports of committees, unless for the dispatch of business 

the printing be dispensed with, shall be printed 155 29 3 

Motions to print additional numbers shall be referred to the 

Committee on 155 29 2 

When the cost of printing additional numbers shall exceed five 

hundred dollars, it shall be by concurrent resolution 155 29 2 

Every bill, joint resolution, and report of committee shall be 

printed, unless 155 29 3 

Private bill. May be referred to Court of Claims 146 15 3 

Private claim. No memorial or other paper shall be withdrawn 

from the files without leave of the Senate ._ 155 30 1 

Where a private act has passed, the Secretary may transmit the 

papers to the officer charged with the settlement 155 30 1 

No private claim, which has been rejected, shall be again re- 
ferred from the files without new evidence 155 31 — 

Where an adverse report has been made on a private claim, the 

papers shall not be withdrawn without leaving copies 155 30 2 



Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 469 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Private claim. No amendment shall be proposed to any general 

appropriation bill whose obj ect i s to provide for a 147 16 4 

Private secretary of Senator shall not be admitted to the floor until 
the Senator appointing him certifies in writing that he is em- 
ployed as such 157 2>1> 2 

Privileged motions, save as against a motion to adjourn, to proceed 
to executive business, or questions of privilege, certain, are, 
and shall be, decided without debate 141 9 — 

<*• 

Question of order shall be decided by the Chair, without debate, sub- 
ject to an appeal to the Senate. Every 148 20 I 

The Chair may submit any question of order to the decision of 

the Senate 149 20 2 

When an appeal is taken from the decision of the Chair, any 
subsequent question of order or appeal shall be decided 
without debate . 148 20 I 

An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be laid on the 

table, which shall be held to affirm the decision of the Chair _ 148 20 I 
Questions of privilege. A motion to amend or correct the Journal 
shall be deemed a, and shall be proceeded with until dis- 
posed of 138 3 1 

When in order 139 6 I 

Certain privileged motions may be submitted 141 9 — 

Question under debate contains several points, any Senator may call 

for a division. If the 147 iS — 

But a motion to strike out and insert shall not be divided 147 18 — 

Question under debate. But, pending a motion to strike out and in- 
sert, each part shall be regarded as a question; and the part 

to be stricken out shall be first open to amendment 147 18 — 

Quorum. The journal of the proceedings of the preceding day shall 

be read, there being present a 138 3 1 

Shall consist of a majority of the Senators duly chosen and 

sworn 138 3 2 

The presence of a quorum being questioned, the Chair shall di- 
rect the roll to be called to ascertain the presence of a 138 5 2 

A majority of the Senators present may request or compel the 

attendance of Senators to make a 139 5 3 

Pending the execution of the order requiring the presence of 
absent Senators, no debate or motion shall be in order but to 
adjourn 139 5 3 



47° Index to the Standing Rides of the Senate. 

R. 

Page. Rule. Clause 

Reading of a paper. When the reading of a paper is called for, and 
it be objected to, it shall be decided by the Senate without 

debate 143 11 — 

Recess. Pending the consideration of a question, a motion, which 

shall be decided withort debate, may be made for a 149 22 — 

Recess of the Senate for more than thirty days. All nominations and 

motions to reconsider nominations shall fall upon a 161 38 5 

Reconsideration. A motion to reconsider may be made by any one 

voting on the side that prevailed 144 13 I 

A motion to reconsider may be made within the two next days 

of actual session, and shall be decided by a majority 144 13 I 

When a bill or other matter shall have gone out of the posses- 
sion of the Senate, the motion to reconsider shall be accom- 
panied by a request for the return of the same 144 13 2 

Which last motion shall be determined at once and without de- 
bate 144 13 2 

If the Senate shall refuse to reconsider a vote, or upon consid- 
eration shall reaffirm its first decision, it shall not be in order 
to move to reconsider 144 13 1 

A motion to reconsider may.be laid on the table without preju- 
dice to the main question 144 13 1 

And if laid on the table, shall be a final disposition of the mo- 
tion 144 13 I 

A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn without leave of 

the Senate 149 21 2 

A motion to reconsider a vote on a nomination may be laid on 

the table, and shall be final 161 38 3 

A motion to reconsider a vote on a nomination returned to the 
President must be accompanied by a request for its return to 
the Senate 161 1% 3 

Motions to reconsider nominations shall fall upon a recess of 

thirty days or on final adjournment 161 38 5 

Reduced to writing. Before a motion shall be debated it shall, if 

required, be 149 21 1 

Reference to a committee. A motion to refer shall not be open to 

amendment unless it be to add instructions ,__ 153 26 1 

A motion to refer to a standing committee shall have precedence 

of a motion to refer to a select committee 153 26 1 

Every bill and joint resolution shall be read twice before 144 14 3 

P>efore the final vote on the passage of a bill or resolution it 

shall be in order to move its 145 15 2 



Index to the Standing Antes of the Senate, 47 * 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Relevant to the subject-matter thereof. No amendment shall be pro- 
posed to any general appropriation bill which shall not be ger- 
mane or 147 J 6 3 

Reports of committees. The order in which they shall be called for 

by the Chair under " morning business " 139 7 1 

If objected to, the consideration of the report of a committee 

shall lie over one day 153 26 2 

Reports of committees. All reports of committees shall be printed, 
unless for the dispatch of business the printing be dispensed 

with 1 155 29 3 

Reports of committees of conference shall always be in order, and when 
made the question of their consideration shall be immediately 

put and decided without debate 153 27 — 

Resolutions. The order in which they shall be called for by the 

Chair under " morning business " 139 7 1 

Not objected to, to be taken up in their order 141 8 — - 

When accompanied by a preamble, the question shall be first 
put on the resolution, then on the preamble, which may be 

withdrawn or laid on the table 150 23 — 

A resolution may be withdrawn or modified by the mover before 

an amendment or ordering of the yeas and nays 149 21 2 

A resolution to pay money out of the contingent fund shall be 

referred to the Committee on Contingent Expenses 151 25 1 

All resolutions shall, if their consideration be objected to, lie 

over one day 145 14 5 

Revenue bills, to proceed to the consideration of, a privileged motion. 141 9 — 
Rules. No motion to suspend, modify, or amend any rule, except on 

one day's notice in writing 162 40 — 

Any rule may be suspended without notice by unanimous con- 
sent, except : : 162 40 — 

But no motion shall be in order to suspend the rule 12, in re- 
spect to voting 162 40 — 

S. 

Secrecy. The galleries shall be cleared and the doors closed on the 

discussion of a question that may require 158 35 — 

All confidential communications from the President, and all 
treaties and debates and proceedings thereon, shall be kept 
secret . 15S 36 3 

All matters touching the character and qualifications of a nom- 
ination and all votes and proceedings thereon shall be kept 
secret 160 38 2 



472 Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Page. Rmle. Clause. 

Secrecy. A Senator disclosing the confidential or secret business of 

trie Senate shall be liable to expulsion 159 36 4 

An officer of the Senate committing a like offense shall be dis- 
missed and punished for a contempt 159 36 4 

Secretary of Senate. When to perform duties of the Chair 137 1 2 

To keep record of certificates of election of Senators 139 6 2 

To transmit papers in relation to claims to committee before 

whom claim is pending 156 31 — 

Senate Chamber. Shall not be granted for any other purpose than 

for the use of the Senate 157 34 1 

Senators. Not to absent themselves from the service of the Senate 

without leave 138 5 1 

Not to speak but once, and for five minutes only, on bills and 

resolutions on the Calendar not objected to 141 8 — 

Special orders. The unfinished business shall take precedence of the. 142 10 I 
Consideration of the Calendar of bills and resolutions at the 
conclusion of morning business until 2 o'clock takes prece- 
dence of 141 8 — 

Any subject may be made a special order by a vote of two- 
thirds 142 10 1 

Unless there be unfinished business, the Chair shall lay before 

the Senate the 142 10 I 

Special orders for the same hour and day shall have precedence 

according to the time at which they were made such 143 10 2 

Special orders shall not lose their character as such unless by a 

vote of the Senate , 143 10 2 

Every special order shall, unless there be unfinished business, 

be called up when the hour assigned shall arrive 142 10 I 

Speak more than twice in any one debate on the same day without 

leave of the Senate. No Senator shall 148 19 1 

Speak. The Presiding Officer shall name who is to speak, but the 

Senator first rising shall in all cases first 148 19 I 

Suspension of the rules. One day's notice in writing required to sus- 
pend, amend, or modify any rule of the Senate^ 162 40 — 

The 1 2th rule in relation to voting shall never, under any cir- 
cumstances, be suspended 162 40 — 

T. 

Table. An amendment to a general appropriation bill may be laid 

on the 147 16 3 

A motion to reconsider may be laid on the 144 13 1 

And if carried shall be held to be a final disposition of the mo- 
tion 144 13 1 



Index to the Standi?ig Rules of the Senate. 473 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Table. When an amendment proposed to any pending measure is laid 

on the, it shall not carry with it, or prejudice, such measure. 147 17 — 

When a question is pending a motion may be made to lay on 

the, which shall be decided without debate 149 22 — 

Preamble of a bill or resolution may be withdrawn or laid on 
the, without prejudice to the bill or resolution 150 23 — 

An appeal from the decision of the Chair may be laid on the. _ 148 20 1 

If laid on the table it shall be held as affirming the decision of 
the Chair 148 20 I 

All resolutions, reports of committees, motions to discharge a 
committee, and subjects from which a committee may be dis- 
charged, shall lie over one day for consideration 153 26 2 

Treaties. When a treaty is laid before the Senate no motion shall 
be made in reference to it but to refer or to print it, to remove 
injunction of secrecy, or to consider it in open executive ses- 
sion 159 37 1 

A treaty shall not be considered on the same day that it is re- 
ported, if objected to 159 37 i 

After being acted upon as in Committee of the Whole it shall 

be reported to the Senate 159 37 

When the question will be, if amended, on concurring in the 

amendments made in Committee of the Whole 159 27 

Injunction of secrecy may be removed at any stage of proceed- 
ings, or treaty maybe considered in open executive session. 159 37 

After which the resolution of ratification may be proposed on a 

subsequent day 160 27 

When the question shall be on the resolution of ratification no 

amendment shall be in order 159 37 

The question of ratification and a motion to postpone indefinitely 

shall each require a vote of two-thirds 159 37 

All amendments and other motions may be decided by a ma- 
jority 159 37 

Shall be resumed at the second or any subsequent session of the 

same Congress, at the stage when last acted upon 160 37 2 

When proceedings shall terminate with a Congress they shall be 
resumed de novo 160 37 2 

Indian treaties shall, unless transmitted by the President in con- 
fidence, be acted upon in legislative session 160 27 3 

IT. 

Unanimous consent. The reading of the Journal may be suspended 

by 138 3 1 

Until the morning business is concluded, no motion to proceed 

to any othei subject shall be received, unless by 140 7 2 



474 Index to the Standing Rules of the Sejiate. 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Unanimous consent. After a decision is announced, a Senator may 

change or withdraw his vote by 143 12 1 

When the Senate shall refuse to reconsider a vote, or reaffirm 
its first decision, no motion to reconsider can be received, but 
by 144 13 1 

Each bill shall receive three readings before passage on three 

different days, unless by 144 14 2 

A bill may be read twice for reference, but not considered as in 

Committee of the Whole, nor debated, unless by 144 14 3 

No amendment shall be proposed to a bill on its third reading, 

unless by 145 15 2 

All resolutions shall lie over one day, unless by 145 14 5 

All resolutions, reports of committees, motions to discharge a 
committee, and subjects from which a committee may be dis- 
charged, shall lie over one day, unless by 153 26 2 

No rule of the Senate can be suspended without notice, unless 

by, except Rule 12 162 40 — 

Treaties shall not be acted upon on the day on which they are 
reported, unless by 159 37 I 

Resolution of ratification shall not be considered on the same 

day it is proposed, unless by .__ 159 37 1 

Nominations shall not be confirmed on the day they are re 

ceived, or on which reported, unless by _. 160 38 I 

Order of morning business only changed by 139 7 I 

Unfinished business shall have preference over the special orders 142 10 I 

Consideration of the Calendar of bills and resolutions at the 
conclusion of the morning business, until 2 o'clock, takes pre- 
cedence of , 141 8 — 

Unfinished business of a session. The legislative business of the Sen- 
ate shall be continued from session to session of the same 
Congress j 156 32 — 

V. 

Vacancies in committees, when filled by the Presiding Officer, shall, 
unless otherwise ordered, be only to fill up the number on the 
committee 150 24 2 

Vice-President. In the absence of the Vice-President, the Senate 

shall choose a President pro tempore 137 1 I 

In the absence of the, and pending the election of a President 
pro tempore, the Secretary, or, in his absence, the Chief Clerk, 
s^iall perform the duties of the Chair 137 I 2 



Li dex to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 475 

Page. Rule. Clause. 

Voting. When the yeas and nays are called, each Senator shall, 
unless excused from voting, answer when his name is called 
without debate 143 I2 T 

Proceedings, when a Senator shall be called on for reasons for 

declining to vote, shall be without debate 143 12 2 

Further proceedings shall not be had until after the result is 

announced 143 I2 2 

A Senator shall not be permitted to vote after the result is an- 
nounced 143 I 2 r 

But he may, for special reasons, by unanimous consent, with- 
draw or change his vote 143 12 1 

W. 

Withdrawal of a motion or resolution. A resolution or motion may 
be withdrawn at any time before amendment or ordering of 
the yeas and nays 149 21 2 

Preamble to a resolution may be withdrawn before amendment 

or ordering of the yeas and nays 150 23 — 

A motion to reconsider shall not be withdrawn without leave of 

the Senate 149 21 2 

Withdrawal of papers. No papers except original treaties shall be 

withdrawn from the hies without leave of the Senate 155 30 1 

Where an act has passed for a private claim, the papers may be 

sent by the Secretary to the accounting officers 155 30 1 

No petition on which an adverse report has been made shall be 

withdrawn without leaving copies 155 30 2 

Claims adversely reported on shall not be again referred with- 
out new evidence 155 31 — 

Without debate. In ascertaining the presence of a quorum, the pro- 
ceedings shall be 138 5 2 

Sergeant-at-Arms may be directed to request <or compel attend- 
ance of absent Senators 139 5 3 

The reading a paper when objected to shall be decided 143 11 — 

A motion to request House of Representatives to return a bill 

shall be decided at once, and 144 13 2 

All questions of relevancy of amendments under rule 16 shall 

be decided 147 16 3 

A motion to permit a Senator to proceed in order shall be de- 
cided " 148 19 2 

A motion for leave to speak more than twice in one debate 

shall be decided 148 19 1 



47 ^ Index to the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

Page. Rule. Clause 

Without debate. All questions of order shall be decided by the Chair. 148 20 I 

Subsequent questions of order and appeals shall be decided 148 20 1 

Motions to adjourn, for a recess, for executive business, and to 

lay on the table shall be decided 149 22 — 

A motion to proceed to consideration of a conference report 

shall be decided .. 153 27 — 

Each Senator when the yeas and nays are called shall, when 

his name is called, answer 143 12 1 

Reasons for excusing a Senator from voting shall be determined. 143 12 2 
Words spoken in debate, if required, shall be taken down in writing. 

Exceptionable 1 148 19 3 

Y. 

Yeas and nays. Each Senator shall, when his name is called, answer 

openly and without debate 143 12 1 

A Senator may be required to assign reasons for not voting, 

which shall be without debate 143 12 2 

He shall not be called on 'for reasons for not voting until after 

the roll-call and before the result of the vote is announced __ 143 12 2 

Other proceedings shall be after such announcement 143 12 2 

A Senator shall not be permitted to vote after the result is an- 
nounced 143 12 1 

For special reasons, by unanimous consent, he may withdraw 
or change his vote 143 12 1 

Any motion or resolution may be withdrawn or modified by the 
mover at any time before a decision, amendment, or ordering 
ofthe__ 149 21 2 



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